This Mornin'... Namesake Songs:

Mission Statement....

I decided to start this blog first and foremost for the music. I found myself spending a lot of time reading blogs - but there were so many of my favorite artists that weren't getting enough (or any) attention. So, my solution: start my own blog so I could talk about the artists and topics that I wanted to read about. There is no formal structure to this blog - I simply write about music that makes a certain impact on me. Also, I'm not here to give official album reviews or complete artist bios. I will provide enough info to get you interested, but I'll let the music speak for itself - it's much better than listening to me, anyway. So if you dig the folk/americana/indie scene and want to learn about some artists that don't get the recognition they deserve, keep checkin' back to see what I have to say. Don't be afraid to leave a comment and tell me what you think. Cheers.

Disclaimer

All mp3 files posted here are for sampling purposes only. Take what you want, but move fast because they expire (normally within a month or two). If you like what you hear, go out and support the artists by buying their stuff. If you are the artist/rep and want immediate removal of any file please email me (Payton@ThisMornin.com) directly and I will remove it.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Here we are again - another Friday. Had a busy week with school, and i'm leaving in the morning for a field trip (yes i said 'field trip' - that's what geologists do) so i won't get anything posted this weekend. Don't have a lot of time tonight, but i have a couple new tunes in my library i'm diggin'.

Also, some good news - i got my blog added to Elbo.ws. If you don't know, it's a music blog archiver like The Hype Machine, only better. For one, they added 'This Mornin I Am Born Again' (as of now, the Hype Machine doesn't think i meet the standards to be added to their site. One of the requirements is 'generates discussion', so start leavin' some comments, people). Also, on Elbows, you can search not only artists and song titles, but searches will return any text from blogs, so even if bloggers don't post tracks from artsits/topics you're interested in, you can still find some written info. Check it out.

i've known about this guy for a while, but was reminded of him tonight when a buddy of mine told me i missed a show of his in Huntstville tonight. Beaver's got 5 albums to his name since '98. Well-written songs from interesting perspectives that are topped off with a twangy high tenor.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Alright, so February is almost over, and i'm pumped. Beacause, starting in March, a flood of great albums are coming out. Seeing as i'm pretty new to this music journalism (hardly...) world, i don't have any cool new friends on the inside to give me any exclusive news or tracks, but i've got a couple tricks up my sleeve. For some of these that are coming out a little further in the future, i'll re-remind you, but here are the forthcoming album releases on my radar:

3.4.08 (Big Day)

The Black Crowes - Warpaint (Silver Arrow)

The first release from the soulful Black Crowes in 7 years is set for early March. 10 of the 11 tracks were written by Chris and Rich, and the album marks the debut for two new band members: guitarist Luther Dickinson and keyboardist Adam MacDougall.

tracklist: 1. Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution2. Walk Believer Walk3. Oh Josephine4. Evergreen5. Wee Who See The Deep6. Locust Street7. Movin' On Down The Line8. Wounded Bird9. God's Got It ~ this is the same song that OCMS did on Big Iron World, written by The Reverend Charlie Jackson10. There's Gold In Them Hills11. Whoa Mule

The band (3 out of 4 are actual brothers), from upstate New York, released Tonight at the Arizona in the UK early last year. Upon returning to the States, they hooked up with Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes for some concert dates, and consequently he signed them to his label. The've been called 'backwoods americana' and have a perfectly un-polished sound with hints of Dylan, Townes, and Neil Young. Their self-titled American debut is due out March 4th.

i don't know who decided to put this re-issue together, or why, but who fuckin' cares. This isn't just a re-mastered edition with a couple bonus tracks; this thing is like discovering an attic full of old vinyls. Ok, maybe not that cool, but listen: It's a 2-disc set, the first of which is the original album (13 tracks) plus 5 bonus tracks from unreleased radio performances:

Bonus Tracks:

14. Houses on the Hill (live)

15. Nurse With the Pills (live)

16. I Don't Care What You Think About Me (live)

17. Somebody Remembers the Rose (live)

18. Turn Around (live)

and disc 2 (19 of the 21 tracks are previously unreleased):

1. Indian Gown

2. 16 Days (acoustic version)

3. Somebody Remembers the Rose (acoustic version)

4. Avenues (acoustic version)

5. Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight (acoustic version)

6. Houses on the Hill (early version)

7. mp3:My Heart Is Broken*

8. I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash cover) (acoustic version)

9. Kiss & Make-Up

10. Barn's on Fire

11. Dancing With the Women at the Bar (early version)

12. Dreams (Fleetwood Mac cover)

13. Breathe

14. Wither, I'm a Flower (previously released)

15. mp3:Luxury Liner**(Gram Parsons cover)

16. Theme for a Trucker

17. Streets of Sirens (previously released)

18. Turn Around (alternate version)

19. 10 Seconds

20. Ticket Time

21. The Rain Won't Help You When It's Over (True Believers cover)

* The song linked here is from a solo concert of Ryan's (with help from Caitlin Cary) at The Brewery in Raleigh, NC in '99. The quality isn't great, but here the song is stripped down to its core - Ryan is strumming just enough to keep in time. The vocals are amazing and, compared to the version that showed up on Jacksonville City Nights, much slower, which reveals just how, well.... heartbreaking the song really is.

** i don't know if this is the same version that's gonna end up on the re-issue, but it is a studio cut i picked up somewhere along the way.

The son of Steve Earle and namesake to Townes Van Zandt has a lot to live up to. And from what i've heard, he's doin' a pretty good job. He's got just enough of his daddy's gravelly growl, but with a little more energy. His background consists of performing in bluegrass/ragtime bands to full-out rock bands, and, of course, with his dad. He previously put out an EP, Yuma, from which i already posted a track.

tracklist:

1. mp3:Hard Livin'2. The Good Life3. mp3: Who Am I to Say4. Lone Pine Hill5. South Georgia Sugar Babe6. What Do You Do When You're Lonesome7. Turn Out My Lights8. Lonesome and You9. Ain't Glad I'm Leavin'10. Faraway In Another Town

i've already posted a couple tracks from The Black Keys, but i haven't really said much about 'em. They're an indie rock/blues duo (Dan Auerbach - guitar/vocals - and Patrick Carney - drums) from Akron, Ohio. If you listened to the tracks, you already know that they produce raw, in-your-face, super groovy electric rock music. They've got five previous releases - some recorded in Carney's basement, and some in an abandoned tire facotry. Attack and Release will be their most polished record as of yet. Not only did they record in a real studio, but they enlisted the help of producer Danger Mouse. He's the guy that famously remixed The Beatles White Album with Jay-Z's Black Album. If you're ever in the mood for some really loud, powerful tunes, put on The Black Keys.

Streamline is tentatively scheduled for release on April 1st. This is simply info straight from Mike himself via his MySpace blog. Unless you're into the Texas Music/Red Dirst music scene, you probably haven't heard of Mike. He previoulsy fronted the somewhat successful country band The Great Divide. He split with them to go solo in '02 and since has put out five albums - one of which was a collaboration with fellow Okies The Burtschi Brothers. i plan on doing an artist spotlight on Mike soon, so i'll stop there. The only confirmed tracks for Streamline are The Eagle and the Crow, and Supposed To Be. The following track was up on his MySpace a while ago, and could show up on the album as well:

mp3:Mike McClure - Another Place To Run

here's another MySpace track that was posted at some time. A cover of a ZZ Top song that kinda sounds like some late night goofin' off in his home studio:

mp3: Mike McClure - Legs

ordering information will be posted when i find it

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4.8.08

Hayes Carll - Trouble in Mind (Lost Highway)

i've already posted some info, as well as one song, from this release here. You can also hear a few of the tracks on Hayes' MySpace.

Unless you were living under a rock last summer, you heard about Flight of the Conchords. Brett and Jermaine are "New Zealand's fourth most popular digi-folk paradists" (self-proclaimed). They created an HBO comedy show that aired on Sunday nights after Entourage after becoming popular as comedians that performed hilarious, satirical songs on Comedy Central and various late-night talk shows. On their show, they play a very unsuccessful band with no social skills - and spontaneously break into stupid songs. Ok, so that doesn't sound very funny, but i promise it is. Anyway, their debut album, that includes re-worked songs from the show, is due out at the end of April. Check 'em out:

The first time i saw the Dedringers, i hadn't heard of them, but they were opening a show for Mike McClure. i was blown away. These guys - younger than i was - stole the show as much as an opener can. Really original songs, all with some sort of errie, haunting quality. Then, they were just a duo - Sean Faires and Jonny Burke. Since, they have added drums and bass and, more importantly, grown much more popular. By befriending fellow musician and producer McClure, as well as many others in the Texas Music realm, they starting getting bigger gigs and continued to impress people with their 'wise-beyond-their-years' songwriting talent. They self-released an EP titled Definately, Purposely Infinite (produced by McClure) as well as a Live At The Continental Club in Austin album that were both sold at their shows. Their debut album, Sweetheart, was produced by R.S. Field, who has done work for Billy Joe Shaver and Hayes Carll. Here's the previoulsy released (i think i bought it from their MySpace page) title track from the album - most likely this is not the version that will be on Sweetheart, though:

Monday, February 18, 2008

Ok, so i didn't even make two weeks in a row gettin my new digs out on time. i went back home for a wedding this past weekend and never found time. And then yesterday, my songs were somewhat inaccessible due to a much needed relocation and reorganization of my library to an external hard drive. i guess i just can't take the chance of my iPod donkeyin' off all my songs again. But never fear, better late than never, and all those clichés.

These first two tracks come simply from diggin' deeper into a couple of the artists mentioned on last week's 'New Digs':

The closing track from their lastest release didn't hit me as a great song on the first listen. i definately noticed the dark, cynical lyrics, but nothing more. Upon further review, i caught the irony in the song. Will Scheff takes some sort of 'suicide-note lyric' and creates an hugely theatrical, uplifting tune (had to look this up, but John Allyn Smith was John Berryman's original name. He was a poet that committed suicide by jumping off a bridge in '72).

Scheff claims that "by the second verse, [his] head will burst, [his] life will end", and he doesn't disappoint. What he means by his head bursting is that the band will break into a, somehow fitting, rockin' rendition of The Beach Boys' Sloop John B. If the title doesn't ring a bell, take a listen - the melody is unmistakeable. Nice album-ender.

mp3:The Roadside Graves - Jesus Is A Friend of the Family ~ from If Shacking Up Is All You Want To Do (Self-Released album available only from the band)

Trips to the closest things to record stores in College Station (i.e. Hastings and Best Buy) proved futile for finding and Roadside Graves or Felice Brothers - two bands on the top of my wishlist. But i did come across this little song from the Graves. I still don't know if i'm supposed to laugh at it, but i do - everytime.

Earlier this year, i went to visit some friends in Hunstville and happened to catch this guy at The Stardust Room. Had some kick-ass fish tacos at this cool little listening room/bar. i didn't get to stay for the whole set, but i definately remembered this song. So, naturally, i was pumped when i found it for download on his MySpace. An inwardly reflective, slow tune that closes out his '07 release. Note the strange, but clever, use of cricket chirps almost indiscerable in the background.

This was the first song of Donovan's i ever heard. It was a long time ago, and i nearly forgot about the guy until, a couple weeks ago on one of the aformentioned failed trips to Hastings, i picked up Don't Look Back- yet another Dylan Documentary i now own. There's a really cool scene where both Dylan and Donovan (often compared to each other) are hangin' in the same hotel room with a bunch of other beatniks. They each play a song - Dylan It's All Over Now, Baby Blue and DonovanTo Sing For You - and both give meager, but approving nods across the room.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

What a holiday. i mean, if you're with someone, you spend money on crap, if you're not, you feel like crap. But not me... cuz i got a valentine card in the mail today - from my grandparents (by the way - that's not it above. i just thought that was funny). So that'll hold me over for now. And to hold you over - some date-appropriate songs:

mp3:Bruce Robison - Valentine ~ from Country Sunshine (2001)A good little love song from the album that gave us 'Tonight' and 'What Would Willie Do".mp3:Old 97's - Valentine (live) ~ from Satellite Rides [Bonus Disc] (2001)One of the 97's slower tunes - sung acoustic by bassist Murray Hammond.

mp3:Steve Earle - Valentine's Day ~ from Together at the Bluebird Cafe (2001)If you like folk/country music and don't have this album, get it now. Recorded live in '95 (15 months before Townes's death), it features Steve, Townes, and Guy Clark's best material performed with some great banter in between. Valentine's Day is a re-creation of a gift Steve gave his wife one February when he had nothing else to give.

mp3:Ryan Adams - Oh My Sweet Valentine (live) ~ bootleg from The Exit/In in Nashville (10-28-99)From one of a couple RA bootleg shows from pre-Heartbreaker times that i have, Oh My Sweet Valentine is one of Ryan's unreleased tracks that, how i'll never understand, never made the cut for an album. The acoustic show features some gems like Hey There, Mrs. Lovely (which was re-worked and turned into These Girls for Easy Tiger - 8 years later) and Onslow County - one of Ryan's many hometown-inspired tunes. The omnipresent Gillian Welch joins Ryan on stage for a couple great tunes including Helpless, Dancing With The Women At The Bar, and her own The Revelator.

**you can get the whole show here at Archive.org - as well as a shit-load of other good, live stuff.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

As this so-called winter fades to spring, and it warms up in places, other than here - that need warming up, hippies everywhere start making road trip plans. Because from March thru August, outdoor music festivals are happening across the country from Newport to Galveston, Austin to Wilkesboro, Manchester to the Everglades. i'm not gonna try to act like i've been to any of these outside of Texas, but i will in due time. Here's a little info on some of the festivals that i wish i could go to:

Unlike the rest of the festivals on this list, SXSW's objective is to provide exposure for obsure, unsigned, and relatively unknown bands. It takes place inside the city limits of a big city. For that reason, bands simply perform at various venues around Austin. Showcasing some 10,000 acts from around the globe, the event can be a little overwhelming, so don't plan on catching everything - shoot for about 5%.

Hayes Carll wanted to bring a taste of Americana music to his adopted home on the Texas Coast. He did so in a songwriter-based weekend festival that brings out the laid-back attitude of Bolivar Island.

Bluegrass Legend Doc Watson started this festival in '88 as a tribute to his late son, Eddy Merle Watson. It has grown from two flatbed trailers into 13+ stages and 80,000 participants. It features showcase concerts, bluegrass pickin'/jam sessions, and guitar workshops.

Rolling Stone Magazine named Bonnaroo one of the 50 Moments that Changed Rock & Roll History. Held on a 700-acre farm in Tennessee, the 4-day event features tons of concerts - ranging from Jam Bands, to Bluegrass, to Reggae, to Hip-Hop and Electronica. The festival even has an on-site cinema, beer garden, arcade, and comedy club.

The Other Side of the Mirror- a great documentary about Dylan's evolution from a lanky, folk-singing kid in '63 to a rock & roll icon when he suprised, and infuriated, many by plugging in at Newport in '65.

Listen to the odd mix of cheers and boo's when he finishes his fist song of the night with Paul Butterfield's Blues Band in the MP3 above.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

One of my favorite artists that i often forget about - maybe cuz he's pretty selective when it comes to puttin' records together. Hayes Carll's patience, however, pays off. 2005's Little Rockremains one of the best albums in my collection. A perfect mix of grungy, country rock tunes and slower, seething ballads. His debut, Flowers and Liquor (2002), is groovy, sometimes pretty funny, folk-rock. From the small amount of info i've heard about his 2008 release (due out April 8th), he could only have improved. He spent a month in the studio with the help of Darrell Scott and Will Kimbrough - just to name a couple. Although not prolific in the studio, Hayes does quite a bit of touring and festival attending. He just returned from Musicfest in Steamboat, and before that he was on an "end of the year rock and roll jamboree and toga party tour" with John Evans and The Sideshow Tramps. Stingaree is Hayes's own annual music festival that takes place at Crystal Beach on Bolivar Island near Galveston (happening April 18-20 this year).

Heres a leaked track from Trouble In Mind that's about his time on the coast. See if you can't tap your foot a little:

mp3:Hayes Carll - I Got A Gig

some of my favorites from Little Rock:

mp3:Down The Road Tonightmp3:Long Way Homemp3:Chickens

and one from Flowers and Liquor:

mp3:Naked Checkers

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Bonus:mp3: The Sideshow Tramps - New Train ~ from Medicine Show (2007)

Friday, February 8, 2008

It's hard to always keep an eye out for new music when my library is filled with tons of songs i haven't really given a listen. But in order to try (and per John's request), i'm gonna start a weekly, New Music Roundup. It may not always be newly released stuff, just new to me. i'll try to post it on or around friday, so you can have some new tunes to get you through the weekend......

so here's some newish songs i've been diggin' this week:

mp3: Okkervil River - You Can't Hold The Hand Of A Rock And Roll Man ~ from The Stage Names (2007)

Just got this record. It's different, but i really like the rockin' ones like this, and the slow ones like Savannah Smiles. Check it out.

Don't know much about these guys, except that they are touring with Bright Eyes (Conor also signed them to Team Love Records - the label he co-founded) and will be at Bonnaroo this summer. Their self-titled American debut is due out March 4, 2008.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

So late last year, i invested in the biggest (160 gigs) iPod you can buy to store all my musical goodness. And to keep my computer running clean, i only kept about 1000 or so of the most essential mp3's on my hard drive - the rest was on my ipod, which i basically used as an external drive.

Then one fateful day about a month ago, iTunes froze up on me. Instead of being patient - which i have a hard time doing - i ejected the iPod by right clicking on the device through 'my computer'. Turned on my iPod and............. 'no music'

Fuck.

Upon closer inspection, 26 or so gigs of space were still taken up, but not as 'music'. The files were listed under the category 'other'..... so there's some hope.

Restarted the iPod - no luck

Reinstalled iTunes - no luck

Read 1,043 forums regarding iPod problems - no luck

Apple's only suggestion is to restore the iPod to factory settings - which deletes everything off the Ipod - and simply re-sync the device through iTunes. Great!.... if you have all your music on your computer - but that's why i spent $300 on a HUGE iPod. Fuck you Steve Jobs.

Now, i could restore the iPod and load everything back on - i have it all somewhere, whether its on my old mp3 player or on cd's - but that's a lot of carpel-tunnel inducing hours. Plus, all the time i spent organizing artists, album information, genres, album art, etc. would be lost, and i would have to do it all again. And, come on, i've got a blog to write.

So, i sucked it up, shelled out some cash, and shipped out my beloved iPod to a tech restore company.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Ever realized that sometimes the blues can make you feel, well..... not blue? There's some kinda uplifiting quality that comes through when you hear a loud, vibrant guitar set to a a groovy melody - and maybe a harp thrown in, too. Sure, there are plenty of bluesy songs that are down right heartwrenching, but if the artists set out to write a blues tune cuz they're feeling down, then it just seems natural that a hopeful song might emerge. So on this cool, sunny day, i'm in the mood for some groovy blues......